Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Super Bowl Champion and New England Patriots Safety Duron Harmon and New
Hampshire dairy farmer Stewart Yeaton visited Hallsville Elementary School in Manchester
to get students excited about school breakfast as part of the school’s Fuel Up
to Play 60 program and the New Hampshire School Breakfast Challenge, which was launched
in October 2013 to help promote school breakfast.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program
and has launched a “Fuel Greatness” campaign to mobilize communities to take action and advocate for, and implement,
alternative breakfast options in school districts nationwide. Funding
for this program is provided by New England Dairy & Food Council and the
dairy farmers of NewHampshire and New England.

"School breakfast fuels greatness in
our students, giving them the power to be successful throughout their
day," said Principal Christi Michaud. "As a school leader, I am
happy to encourage our students, and to ensure they have access to healthy
foods at the start of each school day. A school breakfast has the potential to
improve learning outcomes and to FUEL GREATNESS in every child!"

Research demonstrates that good nutrition,
including daily breakfast, and increased physical activity can lead to improved academic performance. According to
one study in particular, more
than 60 percent of students do not eat breakfast each day. Many kids are showing up to school hungry, and hungry kids may not be able to
succeed in the classroom.

Created in partnership by the National Football League and National
Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel
Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program and creates
real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools. From smoothie taste
tests to build-your-own yogurt parfait stations, Fuel Up to Play 60 schools around
the country are showing their support for school breakfast by hosting events
and other in-school activities this spring. To learn more about Fuel Greatness,
Fuel Up to Play 60, and school breakfast, visit: www.fueluptoplay60.com.Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and
Facebook at #FuelGreatness.

Boston Celtics forward/center Kelly Olynyk, former player Leon Powe, mascot “Lucky” the Leprechaun, along with Southern New Hampshire University vice president of marketing and student recruitment Gregg Mazzola, superintendent of schools Debra Livingston, and Mayor Ted Gatsas, were on hand today with students of Hillside Middle School to unveil a state-of-the art technology lab.

Dr. Livingston and her team huddle during the scavenger hunt

Partnering to support education, the Celtics and SNHU purchased 30 new, 13-inch Chromebook laptops and a 60-inch TV for the lab, as well as a Chromecast streaming player. Additionally, the Celtics and SNHU have completely renovated the room -- with new furniture, paint and wall graphics.

During the event, students used their new computers to complete an online scavenger hunt, where they researched facts about the Celtics, SNHU, Leon Powe, Boston and Manchester. Later, the students and their special guests joined the rest of the school community in the gym for a pep rally.

The Celtics players emphasized the importance of working hard in school and urged students to do their best. Powe shared the story of how he'd been on the varsity basketball team as a high school freshman, but his 1.8 GPA made him ineligible to play. So he went to school early every morning for extra help, stayed after school for extra help, did his homework and studied hard because it was important to him and his family. He got back on the team that year, and by the time he was a senior, Powe graduated with a 3.8 GPA.

Hillside's is the second Celtics/SNHU lab in Manchester.The two organizations collaborated to renovate a classroom at McLaughlin Middle School in 2014.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Manchester police have received reports of a man in a car asking school-aged kids if they need a ride. Three such incidents occurred last week in different areas of the city after school while students walked home. The driver and car descriptions varied.

While police and schools are being vigilant, we want to bring these incidents to parents' attention so that they, too, can be aware and remind their children about important safety precautions.

•If your children walk home from school, please review the safest route and point out where they can go if they are confronted with trouble.

•Encourage your child to walk with friends – kids are safer in groups.

•Make sure your child knows his or her address and phone number and knows how to reach you in case of an emergency.

•Tell your children it is okay to say no to an adult in a dangerous situation, to yell, and to run away.

•If he or she is approached by a stranger, your child should report it to you or another trusted adult right away.

The National Crime Prevention Council has more information and resources about teaching children what they need to know:

Friday, March 27, 2015

The student registration page of our web site has been updated with detailed information about registering new students in the Manchester School District. The required forms are available on that page to be downloaded and filled out.

Kindergarten and first grade registration for the 2015-16 school year begins on April 6. The scheduled dates and times for each elementary school are listed online.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Manchester School District is looking to enhance its pool of substitute faculty and staff. Substitutes for classroom teachers, paraprofessionals and administrative assistants are needed regularly when there are unexpected absences. A degree is not required, but people who have earned at least 48 college credits may qualify to be substitute teachers in the Manchester School District. Please call 624-6300 and dial 0 to ask Pam for an application packet.

Manchester schools once again are supporting efforts to shine a light on autism education. That's why we are observing National Autism Awareness Month, starting with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Show your support on that day and all month long by wearing light blue.Please visit www.autismspeaks.org/liub for more information about the global effort.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Eight Manchester School of Technology students have qualified to attend the SkillsUSA Championship competition in Louisville, KY. They received gold medals at the 2015 SkillsUSA NH spring leadership conference. The MST team also won Most Spirited CTE School at this weekend's awards ceremony.The SkillsUSA Championships in June is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. In 2014, there were nearly 6,000 contestants in 98 separate events!

Congratulations to all of our Manchester state winners for their accomplishments and hard work!

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Another large financial gift from one of its most
valuable community partners is giving Weston Elementary a boost in technology
resources. The owners of a local Dunkin’ Donuts presented Weston students and
staff with a check for $36,000, which will equip all classrooms with virtual
interactive white boards and data projectors.
Another portion of the new funds will buy additional IPads, Chromebooks
and programming to set up blended learning labs in each classroom.

This is the fourth school year that the Scrivanos
family, owners of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Hanover Street, has stepped forward
with a generous contribution to Weston. Last June, the school received $15,000
to purchase 25 classroom media centers, which include a television monitor,
Chromebook and Chromecast streaming device. For 2012-13, $10,000 paid for
personal books for students and 16 new computers for the school. In 2011,
$25,000 from the Scrivanoses covered the cost of books and 35 iPads with apps.

“We are grateful for the support from Dunkin’ Donuts
and the Scrivanos family,” said Liz MacDonald, principal of Weston Elementary
School. “They’ve given our students many learning opportunities they might not have
gotten otherwise.”

George Scrivanos and other representatives of his
Dunkin’ Donuts store made the check presentation to MacDonald and the Weston
community at the start of the school’s annual talent show Thursday night.

Established in 1972 by the Secretary of the Navy, the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Manchester High School West is celebrating more than 42 years of "can do" performance. NJROTC helps to develop strong and informed leaders for the future. The program's goal is to instill pride in our country, the Navy and the cadets as individuals. It encourages civic responsibility through participation in programs, projects and services within the school and local community. More than 2,500 hours of community service has been recorded so far this school year!

Today's inspection was conducted by Commander David Kenney and Chief Stanley Hannum. The morning's activities began early with a personnel inspection, which includes uniform, personal appearance and Navy knowledge. The inspection continued with a public ceremony that included remarks, a drill team performance, presentation of awards and a change in command for the 2015-16 school year.

Congratulations to all 103 cadets on a job well done.

Inspectors Commander Kenney and Chief Hannum

Mayor Gatsas presents Distinguished Cadets awards

Dr. Livingston presents Honor Cadets awards

Cadets who achieved honor roll for two quarters received academic awards

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Manchester School District was notified today that students at Beech
Street and McDonough elementary schools and Central High School who started the computer-based
Smarter Balanced assessment on March 16 took the incorrect versions of
the assessment because of an error by the Smarter Balanced vendor in providing
a clear assessment selection process. Our students took practice assessments. By yesterday afternoon, the vendor became aware of the issue, which also affected other
schools in the state, and changed the way the selection process looks on the screen.

The New Hampshire Department of Education has assured
Manchester School District that our three schools administered the assessment
properly based on the information available at the time the test began. The
same third graders at McDonough took the correct Smarter Balanced assessment
today. Central High School and Beech Street will reschedule the
correct version of the assessment for yesterday’s groups of students.

Current high school sophomores in Manchester are invited to participate in an exciting two-year program at the Technology & Innovation Academy at SEE Science Center. Students can complete college courses at no cost and receive credits from Manchester Community College their junior and senior years of high school.In addition, students in this program also visit various technology companies to see first-hand what projects and opportunities studying computer science will provide them.For more information, please email Dr. Ali Rafieymehr at arafieymehr@dyn.com

Monday, March 16, 2015

Congratulations to the West High Theatre Knights for advancing from the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild Regional Drama Festival competition to the state competition with their performance of "Story Theatre"! The cast won the Ensemble Acting award, a Best Production award, and student Nick Cochran was recognized for Excellence in Costume Design.

The Theatre Knights will perform at the 2015 NHETG State Drama Festival at Sanborn Regional High School on Friday and Saturday, March 27 & 28.

If you'd like to see this award-winning production for yourself, "Story Theatre" takes the stage at West next month!

Sample a variety of chowders and chilis made by the the parents, students, and staff of both Hallsville and Jewett Street elementary schools. Your $5 entry will get you all the chili and chowder samples you can eat, drinks, and other snacks. There will be awards handed out for the best chili and chowder at the end of the event. All proceeds will go back to the schools to help fund student activities. All are welcome to enjoy some good food, great company, and to support our schools!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Congratulations to Central High School senior Elizabeth Lavoie for placing seventh in the nation in the VFW's Voice of Democracy essay competition! After winning first place in New Hampshire last month, Liz traveled to Washington, D.C. to compete with other state finalists. Her essay about "Why Veterans are Important to Our Nation's History and Future" is thoughtful and moving.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Manchester School District is required by state and federal law to administer the Smarter Balanced Assessment. It will take place starting March 16, 2015 and must be completed by June 5, 2015. Students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 are scheduled to take the assessment.

It has come to the attention of the Manchester School District Board of School Committee that some parents object to the administration of the test and intend to keep their student from school when the test will be administered. While the Manchester School District is prohibited from encouraging nonparticipation in the Smarter Balanced Assessment process, rather than keeping student home from school during the administration of the testing, upon written or emailed notification by the parent/guardian the student will be relocated and provided alternative programming during the applicable testing period.

There will be no penalty to parents or students who do not participate in the assessment. If you have any questions about the assessment or wish for more information, please contact your child's principal.

Initial results of the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) math and reading assessments at eight elementary schools show students are making progress in their learning. The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is intended to indicate what each student knows, is ready to learn, and is projected to achieve. Teachers also can use the information from the assessments to focus instruction where students are struggling.

Bakersville, Beech Street, Gossler Park, Hallsville, Wilson, McDonough, Northwest and Parker-Varney elementary schools were selected to participate in MAP assessments based on their status as priority schools in the district. Priority schools receive federal School Improvement Grant funding. The assessments in math and reading were given to students in grades one through five last fall and again this winter. In every grade, the total number of students at those eight schools who performed at or above the national norm increased.

The chart below reveals the largest increase in the number of students above the norm was in first grade math. Last fall, 29 percent of all the students assessed scored at or above the norm as determined by NWEA; 68% of the students in grade one scored at or above the norm on the winter assessment – an increase of 39%. Similarly, 61% of first graders scored at or above the norm in reading this winter, compared to 30% in the fall – a positive change of 31%.

“The results of these assessments give us a snapshot of progress in Manchester, confirming that many of the tools we use across the city are helping our students learn,” said Debra Livingston, Superintendent of Schools. “The comparison is very similar to using a pediatric weight and height chart to see where a child is at a point in time but more important, how the child grows over time.”

Monday, March 9, 2015

Manchester's elementary schools will be accepting registrations for kindergarten and new first grade students next month. The dates and times for children and parents to register in person at each school are listed below. No appointment is necessary.

Evening registration times will be available at Parker-Varney and Weston for the whole district.

Please watch this page for the required forms that will be available for download. Filling them out before your registration day will save you time.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Fourth
graders at Jewett Street Elementary School today showed off what they’re
learning in an interactive demonstration of FIRST®Junior STEAM Ahead. During
lessons that apply math, language arts and science concepts, students develop
an innovative solution to a current world problem, design, build, and program
robots using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 and other LEGO elements, and apply a set ofvaluesthat incorporate teamwork, respect,
and discovery.

FIRST
Junior
STEAM Ahead is enhancing science and math curriculum in Manchester like never
before.

“We are raising the bar when it comes to learning
opportunities in our schools,” said Mayor Ted Gatsas. “A program like FIRST Junior STEAM Ahead helps some of our
youngest students meet 21st century expectations and get started on
the road to creating a talented workforce for the many businesses and industry cities
like Manchester offers.”

Jewett Street is one of three
schools participating
in FIRST® LEGO®
League in the classroom this year. The others are Beech Street and Green Acres
elementary schools. Four more schools will be added to the program next school
year, and the city’s remaining seven elementary schools will join in 2016. Corporate
contributions and grantsfrom
the Argosy Foundation, Autodesk, the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean
Foundation, and Texas Instruments cover the cost of the technology, including
the LEGO kits, robots and computers.

The creation of FIRST
Junior STEAM Ahead happened with support from FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology), an international not-for-profit public charity based in Manchester
that motivates young people to pursue education and career opportunities in
science, technology, engineering, and math. FIRST
has been encouraging young people's interest and participation in those
subjects for more than 25 years, since it was founded by inventor Dean Kamen in
1989.

Another aspect of FIRST Junior STEAM Ahead is a visit to the SEE Science Center in
Manchester. Every year, all 14 elementary schools will bring their fourth grade
students on a field trip, at no cost to the school district. FIRST
is paying for the transportation, while the SEE Science Center and Dean Kamen
are underwriting the admission and program fees.

“We have a wonderful resource to introduce children
to the idea that science and technology are relevant in the real world and
everyday life,” said SEE Science Center executive director Douglas Heuser. “We
are thrilled to provide that experience and ignite the excitement the students
can bring back to their schools.”

Equally
important to the program’s success are the members of the business community
who are giving their time and technical expertise every week. Mentors from
SilverTech, Wasabi Ventures, Autodesk, DEKA, FIRST, NH High Tech Council, Fuentek, Robbins Farley, and
Salesforce/Cloud for Good provide hand-on guidance to FIRST® Junior STEAM Ahead in the classrooms.

At the
expo, the teachers and students explained the innovative lessons that are
sparking students’ interests in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

“Being
actively engaged is one of the aspects I love about FIRST Junior STEAM Ahead,” said fourth grade teacher Karen
O’Shaughnessy. “It’s been fun to watch the show their strengths in new ways by
contributing to the team effort and helping each other succeed.”

In an effort to help students and families become more familiar with the Smarter Balanced Assessment tool, the NH Department of Education offers several online resources, including practice tests for every grade level and subject area covered.

Simply visit the New Hampshire Smarter Balanced Assessment portal for valuable information about the format and suggestions for preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessment. From there, when you go to "Take the practice and training tests," click "Sign In;" a student login ID is not required.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2 — Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids and books. Here's how Manchester observed the day!